SONIA SOTOMAYOR'S CONFIRMATION HEARINGS ABOUT TO BEGIN - AT 7:52 A.M. ET: There'll be full coverage, unless CNN decides to cut away for a three-hour special on Michael Jackson's last thoughts about strawberry ice cream.  From Fox:

WASHINGTON -- The leading Judiciary Committee Republican is charging that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is "out of the mainstream" of legal thinking and has a very activist judicial profile.

Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama made the assertion just hours before Sotomayor, who would be the third woman to join the court, was to face her initial confirmation hearing.

Sessions also said on CBS's "The Early Show" that he thought the native New York appeals court judge deserves a fair hearing. He quickly added that Republicans on the Judiciary panel won't hesitate to question her closely on her judicial philosophy.

COMMENT:  Republicans should, as part of their responsibility, probe the nominee carefully.  However, this is a done deal.  She'll be confirmed by the Senate.  Then we'll see how she does on the bench.  Supreme Court justices have a way of surprising us, although, unfortunately, the surprises often tilt leftward. 

It's the second, third and possibly forth Obama nominees who worry me.

July 13, 2009